The Voodoo they do so well at this Meadville brewery

By MARK TANENBAUMContributing writer

April 22, 2014 03:50 PM

By MARK TANENBAUMContributing writer

April 22, 2014 03:50 PM

Quick sipsVoodoo Brewery

What to know: 215 Arch St., Meadville. (814) 337-3676 Hours: Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. to midnight; Saturday and Sunday, noon to midnight. What's special: Voodoo Brewery doesn't promote any regularly scheduled specials, just first-rate craft beer, exciting food and original music. What's cool: Firkin Fridays, during which a small cask that's been specially seasoned with a variety of extras is tapped, then pumped through a "sparkler" via the "beer engine" and served to a lucky few. For $5.25, it's a bargain in a glass.

DRINK OF THE WEEKHoodoo IPA

Hoodoo IPA took the place of Voodoo Brewing Co.'s Four Seasons IPA.This beer is high on the hoppy end, with a citrus kick.It's easy drinking, with a West Coast vibe. It is also now Voodoo Brewery's best-seller.

-- Mark Tanenbaum

The Drink of the Week is the Voodoo Brewery's Hoodoo IPA. MAGGIE PORTZLINE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

Correction

Previous versions of this article included incorrect spellings of Matthew Allyn's and Peter Zimmer's names.

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What's not to love about Meadville's Voodoo Brewery? You'll find world-class beer, an amazing kitchen and eclectic music in a funky venue. That's a lot to enjoy.

The three main entrepreneurs behind Voodoo Brewing are Matthew Allyn, 43, Matteo Rachocki, 29, and his brother, Curtis Rachocki, 27. This trio of skill sets is a master blend as smooth as their Cowbell Double Chocolate Imperial Stout.

This is a full-production brewery with six flagship beers and other specialty production runs available in outlets in three states. The quality is evident: Voodoo won a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival and was featured in Draft Magazine.

But the business owners needed to establish a retail outlet. So, with support from Meadville city officials, including the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County, Meadville Redevelopment Department and other supporters, they were able to expand their small but burgeoning business into an adjacent building.

Matteo Rachocki credits some of their success to the city's involvement.

"Everyone, from zoning personnel to safety officials to financial institutions, has been wonderful. We are so happy to be in Meadville."

The retail area is a do-it-yourself paradise built from a mix of reclaimed and repurposed materials.

"You have to be creative when you have no money," Matteo Rachocki said. "We are a success because we are doing it like no one else."

There is no formal menu at Voodoo. Kitchen chef/manager Peter Zimmer makes up the bill of fare with whatever can be purchased fresh at the Meadville Market House, local co-ops and from organic growers in the region, such as Beth Etter, of Tom's Farm. The appetizers and main dishes are posted on the in-house chalkboard, and can also be found on Voodoo Brewery's Facebook page.

Upstairs, there's a huge banquet facility that doubles as a music hall. Voodoo Brewery offers concerts at reduced prices. They aren't expecting to make money at the door; they just want to bring in the crowd.

Whatever they do at Voodoo, they do it well.

Quick sipsVoodoo Brewery

What to know: 215 Arch St., Meadville. (814) 337-3676 Hours: Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. to midnight; Saturday and Sunday, noon to midnight. What's special: Voodoo Brewery doesn't promote any regularly scheduled specials, just first-rate craft beer, exciting food and original music. What's cool: Firkin Fridays, during which a small cask that's been specially seasoned with a variety of extras is tapped, then pumped through a "sparkler" via the "beer engine" and served to a lucky few. For $5.25, it's a bargain in a glass.

DRINK OF THE WEEKHoodoo IPA

Hoodoo IPA took the place of Voodoo Brewing Co.'s Four Seasons IPA.This beer is high on the hoppy end, with a citrus kick.It's easy drinking, with a West Coast vibe. It is also now Voodoo Brewery's best-seller.